Forsythia plant named &#39;Courtalyn&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Forsythia  plant is provided that is an induced mutation of the ‘Lynwood’ cultivar (non-patented in the United States). The gamma radiation of buds was utilized to create the mutation. The new cultivar can be readily distinguished from the parent cultivar by the presence of a more uniform and compact upright growth habit which yields a plant approximately two-thirds the height of the parent cultivar. Showy golden yellow blossoms are presented over the entire plant in the springtime prior to the appearance of the leaves. The winter hardiness is good. The new cultivar is particularly well suited for growing as attractive ornamentation in the landscape.

ORIGIN

Induced mutation. Buds present on one year-old stems were irradiatedwith gamma rays derived from cobalt 60.

PARENTAGE

‘Lynwood’ cultivar (non-patented in the United States).

CLASSIFICATION

Forsythia×intermetia, cv. ‘Courtalyn’.

-   Plant    -   -   Form.—well-branched flowering shrub.        -   Habit.—upright, graceful, and compact. The plant has a            fuller more uniform appearance with fewer wild branches than            the parent ‘Lynwood’ cultivar.        -   Internode length.—shorter than that of the parent ‘Lynwood’            cultivar. The internode length commonly is approximately 4.7            cm on average. This compares to an internode length for the            ‘Lynwood’ cultivar of approximately 5.5 cm.        -   Height.—approximately two-thirds that of the parent            ‘Lynwood’ cultivar. The plant size is highly dependent upon            climatic and soil conditions, as well as upon the degree of            pruning (if any). A twelve year-old plant of the ‘Courtalyn’            cultivar that has been trimmed regularly commonly will            exhibit a height of approximately 1.5 meters. The ‘Lynwood’            cultivar commonly will assume a height of approximately 2            meters under the same conditions.        -   Width.—a twelve year-old plant of the ‘Courtalyn’ cultivar            that has been trimmed regularly commonly will exhibit a            width of approximately 1 meter.        -   Stems.—a one year-old stem typically is Yellow-Green Group            152C in coloration. However, very young stem portions facing            the sun are near Greyed-Orange Group 177A in coloration.        -   Lenticels.—irregularly present between internodes in a            sparse quantity, small, and commonly less than 1 mm in size.        -   Branch angles.—typically approximately 30 to 40 degrees.-   Foliage:    -   -   Disposition.—opposite.        -   Configuration.—substantially the same as that of the parent            ‘Lynwood’ cultivar. Such configuration is lanceolate with an            acuminate tip and an attenuate base.        -   Leaf time.—depends upon the climatic conditions that are            encountered to break dormancy. Leafing commonly occurs            towards the end of March to approximately mid-April.        -   Size.—generally smaller in size than those of the ‘Lynwood’            cultivar. During mid-July typical leaves from the central            portion of well-developed shoots on a pruned plant commonly            measure approximately 8 cm in length and approximately 2.9            cm in width. This compares to a length of approximately 10            cm and a width of approximately 3.8 cm for the ‘Lynwood’            cultivar.        -   Petiole.—commonly approximately 2 cm in length. This            compares to a length of approximately 2.8 cm for the            ‘Lynwood’ cultivar. The coloration is near Yellow-Green            Group 144B when shaded and near Yellow-Green Group 152A when            fully exposed to the sun.        -   Color.—substantially the same as that of the parent            ‘Lynwood’ cultivar. The leaves on a fully mature limb            commonly approach R.H.S. Yellow-Green Group 146A on the            upper surface and Yellow-Green Group 146B on the under            surface. The young growing leaves tend to be lighter and            approach Yellow-Green Group 144A in coloration on the upper            and under surfaces.        -   Stipules.—not present.        -   Leaf drop.—during mid-November at Angers, France.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Configuration.—funnel-shaped and substantially the same as            but slightly larger than the parent ‘Lynwood’ cultivar. The            tube length commonly is approximately 5.8 mm. This compares            to approximately 5.3 mm for the ‘Lynwood’ cultivar.        -   Size.—substantially the same as the parent ‘Lynwood’            cultivar.        -   Petal number.—four, and the same as the entire species.        -   Petal shape.—rounded.        -   Petal size.—approximately 1.6 cm in length and approximately            0.8 cm in width.        -   Color.—showy, golden yellow and substantially the same as            the parent ‘Lynwood’ cultivar. The same coloration is            present on both petal surfaces. Commonly the coloration is            Yellow Group 12A. This can be compared to Yellow Group 9A            for the ‘Lynwood’ cultivar.        -   Stamens.—commonly extend slightly above the pistil. The            filaments commonly are approximately 3.95 mm in length and            the anthers positioned on the filaments commonly measure            approximately 2.45 mm. The coloration is Yellow Group 12A.        -   Pistil.—commonly measures approximately 4 mm in height. The            coloration is Yellow Group 12A.        -   Pollen.—formed but not presently available for observation            and further characterization.        -   Peduncle.—approximately 10.5 mm in length, approximately 2            mm in diameter, and the coloration is light yellow-green,            approaching Yellow-Green Group 154A.        -   Fragrance.—none.        -   Disposition.—spread substantially evenly throughout the            plant (as illustrated). More freely on one year-old shoots            than displayed by the ‘Lynwood’ cultivar.        -   Time of flowering.—prior to formation of leaves. During 1990            to 1993 commonly bloomed for 15 to 25 days at Angers,            France. The earliest blooming date was February 25th and the            latest blooming date was April 10th. This compares to a            blooming duration of 10 to 20 days for the parent ‘Lynwood’            cultivar. Also, the earliest blooming date was February 20th            and the latest blooming date was March 30th for the            ‘Lynwood’ cultivar. Often the new cultivar flowers slightly            earlier than the ‘Lynwood’ cultivar.        -   Lastingness.—a typical flower commonly lasts approximately            15 to 20 days on the plant. The blossom life is influenced            by the weather conditions that are encountered.        -   Fruit bearing.—none.-   Growing conditions: Does well in full sun, and prefers soil that is    not exceedingly dry.-   Disease resistance: Substantially the same as that of the parent    ‘Lynwood’ cultivar and not particularly susceptible to diseases. The    slight presence of Pseudomonas and Botrytis may be observed in the    springtime following blooming.-   Hardiness: Very good as is the parent ‘Lynwood’ cultivar. Has    withstood temperatures of −18 C. at Angers, France.-   Propagation: Can be readily propagated while utilizing softwood    cuttings.-   Usage: Attractive erect ornamental spring-flowering shrub for the    landscape that requires little care.

1. A new and distinct Forsythia cultivar that is a mutation of the‘Lynwood’ cultivar having the following combination of characteristics:(a) forms a more uniform and regular growth habit than the parent‘Lynwood’ cultivar, (b) exhibits a more compact growth habit than theparent ‘Lynwood’ cultivar with shorter internode lengths and forms aplant that is approximately two-thirds the height of the ‘Lynwood’cultivar, (c) forms attractive golden yellow blossoms over the entireplant in the springtime, (d) propagates well by the use of softwoodcuttings, (e) is well suited for growing in containers, and (f) exhibitsgood winter hardiness; substantially as illustrated and described.